The Screen Actors Guild has made its strike threat official, announcing it will send out authorization ballots Jan. 2 and reveal the results Jan. 23 — setting the stage for an Oscars boycott and a halt to most production.

SAG announced the timeline Wednesday with the goal of forcing congloms back to the bargaining table, even though the companies declared five months ago they were finished with negotiations. The companies have insisted they won’t change their final offer to SAG, made June 30 as SAG’s contract expired, and they’ve blasted guild leaders for insisting they deserve a sweeter deal than the other Hollywood unions.

More than 75 percent of voting members will have to affirm the authorization for SAG to go on strike. Final say over a walkout will come from the guild’s national board of directors, and SAG toppers insist such a step is only a last resort.

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